Skinnier Cheesecake Bars


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Skinnier Cheesecake Bars

There are certain facts of life that are indisputable, so here are a few:

 

1) A perfect nap is harder to find than a good life partner.

2) Summer dresses are the best part of being a girl.

3) Beaches are magical.

4) Even if it sucks, you have to sweat every day to feel good.

5) Cheesecake is the best and worst dessert of all time.

 

What was that last observation?

I love cheesecake. LOVE it. Most people do, you know. But when you see how much gets loaded into the batter, it’s kind of sad. Because all that deliciousness usually comes at quite a price, health-wise. Fat? Check. Calories? Check. Indigestion? Double check.

But fear not! You don’t have to drop cheesecake from your repertoire. These bars do the trick quite nicely and you will never know they’re skinny!

Skinnier Cheesecake Bars

I took these to an annual neighborhood potluck, where I received a very happy compliment. A teenager was eating one of the bars, and she said, “You know, I really don’t like cheesecake much, but these are amazing.” So skinny or not, here these bars come! Nobody will know you used Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Or that you used egg whites instead of whole eggs. It works!

Skinnier Cheesecake Bars

The only downside to this recipe is that the cheesecake can crack more easily. To reduce that likelihood, don’t open the oven door until it’s time to take the bars out and let them cool in a nice, still place. And if they do crack, meh. You’re cutting them into squares anyway!

Skinnier Cheesecake Bars

And remember to melt white chocolate into your graham cracker crust! As you know, I feel very strongly about that step. It’s a game changer!

Skinnier Cheesecake Bars

So here it is. Cheesecake without guilt? Yes, please!

 

Crust:

  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs

 

Cheesecake Filling:

  • 1 packaged reduced-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup fat-free vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

 

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350. Coat an 8 x 8 pan with cooking spray and set aside.

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and white chocolate. Stir until smooth. Mix in the graham cracker crumbs and brown sugar until the crumbs are moist. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, being sure that you pack the crust tightly with your fingers.

Bake for 5-10 minutes until set.

While the crust is baking, prepare the cheesecake filling. Beat the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer until smooth. Add the egg whites, egg, yogurt, vanilla and lemon juice and beat once more until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Fold in both kinds of chocolate chips.

Bake for 25 minutes until the cheesecake is set. Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Cut into squares.

 

 

 

 

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 8 Comments

  1. Christine

    Hooray for healthier options of delicious things. Thanks for that 🙂 I can’t wait to make these.

    1. Mir

      You could try it with a sugar/Stevia blend, too…hope it works out!

  2. Rebecca @ Dorm Room Baker

    Haha, I love your facts of life! I’m still searching for that perfect nap…I may never find it. Cheesecake is usually on my no-fly dessert list just because of all the calories and indigestion, but these are definitely going on my to-bake list! Also seeing as I’m a chronic oven door opener the fact that I can cut them is pretty great.

    1. Mir

      Yeah, I have a hard time not looking, too! My oven light is pretty useless.
      I’m so glad you’ll try them! I hate not having cheesecake in my life. It’s a necessity, just like the perfect nap!

  3. Jocelyn@Brucrewlife

    I love that you melt white chocolate into your crust!! That’s just pure genius! 😉 These bars look like a dream!

    1. Mir

      Wow, thanks! That’s a lovely compliment!

  4. Laura@Baking in Pyjamas

    These bars look delicious, I’d love one right now! Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!! Laura@Baking in Pyjamas

    1. Mir

      Will do. Happy weekend, Laura!

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